Sunday, July 11, 2021
Speaking in a new language appears in more than one form. We’ve already looked at how it is evidence that the infilling of the Holy Spirit has occurred in the life of a believer. The speaking in new languages is not just a sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. It also is listed as one of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers. This gift appears as a message to the body of believers when it is interpreted. In that case, it is on the same level as prophesying or preaching. Speaking in another unlearned language happens in our prayer life, too.
1 Corinthians 12:10,28,30 KJVS. [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
Although new languages is important, it does not supercede living in love for God and our neighbors.
1 Corinthians 13:1 KJVS. [1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Please keep in mind that being filled with the Holy Spirit is going to have very little impact in our lives if we do not operate in the love of God. Our witness for Christ becomes nothing if we claim all types of gifts and powers but do not love God and our neighbors, instead of ourselves and how much power we think we have with God.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5,10,12-15,18-19,21-23,27-28,39 KJVS
[1] Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. [2] For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him ; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries. [3] But he that prophesys speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. [4] He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesys edifies the church. [5] I would that you all spake with tongues, but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesys than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
Notice that speaking in tongues edifies, builds up and helps construct, the believer when not interpreted. When interpreted, it builds up and helps construct the body of Christ, His church.
[10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Anyone who says speaking in a new unlearned language is gibberish or useless completely discounts this verse. Every language has meaning, including the languages that come to us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and as a gift of the Spirit to the individual believers.
[12] Even so you, forasmuch as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church. [13] Wherefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. [14] For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. [15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Notice that Paul speaks about praying and singing in the spirit and with understanding. This praying and singing involves worshipping God with our understanding, which would be in a language we have learned, and in a language we have not learned, a different language or tongue. Speak in tongues and interpret to edify the church. Speak in tongues in prayer to edify your spirit.
[18] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
Paul’s spiritual prayer life must have been a regular occurrence. He evidently prayed in tongues regularly. What a testimony we would have if the people we know were aware that we prayed in the spirit regularly.
[19] Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. [21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 28:11 KJVS. [11] For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.)
22] Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. [23] If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
Prophesying, preaching, builds up the church. Tongues in an assembly are a sign to unbelievers, but a message needs to be interpreted in order to make an impact on unbelievers.
[27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. [28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
Notice this—speaking in an unlearned language, whether heavenly or earthly, is okay, but the speaking should be interpreted for the sake of the unbelievers. And the speaking should occur in an orderly fashion, with respect to the speakers and to the interpreters.
If there is no one who has been given the gift of interpretation, then the person who feels compelled to speak aloud in tongues should keep quiet. He or she should not speak out loud.
Sometimes those who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit pray aloud in tongues during a worship service. Please keep in mind that unbelievers who hear that happening do not understand what is happening. Unknown tongues need to be interpreted for their sakes. A prayer to God is not the same as a message in tongues to the body of believers. I think it’s a good idea to control how loud we pray when we pray in tongues if unbelievers are in a service.
[39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
There are many types of languages, and all of them have meaning and significance.1 Corinthians 12–14 let us know there are languages of men and of angels. We also know when we speak in an unknown language that is not interpreted for the whole church to be built up that we are speaking to God and are building up or edifying ourselves. When we pray in an unknown tongue, our spirits are praying to God. When we speak aloud in tongues during a worship service, that should be interpreted so the church can be encouraged.
Seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit is scriptural. That infilling follows salvation. It is observable and verifiable through the believer speaking in an unlearned language. Just as the Father and the Son move in the spiritual and the physical realms, the Holy Spirit does the same by filling us with His spiritual character and speaking through us to build us up and to build up the assembly of believers. Seek the Holy Spirit baptism. He will manifest Himself.
